If the Twins win today they will have their first three-game winning streak since July 3-5.

Wow.

PAVANO UPDATE

Twins righthander Carl Pavano will enter his start on Saturday against Milwaukee feeling better than he has in recent weeks.

"The shoulder is getting stronger," he said. "That's the good thing."

Pavano has been battling a slight shoulder strain and stayed back in the Twin Cities for treatment while the rest of the team took on the Tigers in Detroit. He joined the club on Friday in order to make his start on Saturday.

But Pavano and the Twins head into Saturday's game confident that the righthander is on the right path.

"Time will tell," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "We're putting him back out there (Saturday), but he's bouncing around here pretty good.

SPAN, DOUMIT READY

Twins outfielder Denard Span is back in the starting lineup after missing three games because of a sore right hamstring. He arrived at Miller Park for early work and came through it all fine. "He ran around and chased ball all over there and did fine," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Ryan Doumit (right calf strain) worked out on the field before the game and came through O.K. and is available to pinch hit. "As long as he doesn't go flying out of the (batter's box) he's fine. But his leg feels good."

Twins (16-22)

1. Denard Span, CF
2. Brian Dozier, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Josh Willingham,
5. Justin Morneau, 1B
6. Trevor Plouffe, RF
7. Alexi Casilla, 2B
8. Jamey Carroll, 3B
9. Scott Diamond, LHP

Brewers (16-22)

1. Corey Hart, RF
2. Norichika Aoki, CF
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5. Jonathan Lucroy, C
6. Rickie Weeks, 2B
7. Travis Ishikawa, 1B
8. Cesar Izturis, SS
9. Marco Estrada, RHP